5/20/2015:The UMMS student chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) elected Dr. Courtney Collins as one of six UMass residents to be inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society this year. Residents are chosen for their commitment to teaching and their kind and compassionate treatment of patients, families, students, and colleagues. Being elected to GHHS from the large pool of housestaff at UMass is a major achievement and an acknowledgement of Dr. Collins serving as an exemplar of humanism to the students.

Article published in Annals of Surgery, December 2009, Volume 250, Number 6, pp. 929-934

Step 1. Calculate Charlson comorbidity scoreIndicate "yes" for the comorbidities that the patient has. This validated algorithm (Charlson, ME et al. J Chron Dis 1987; 40(5):373-83.) assigns a point value to the various diseases. The patient's raw score will then be reassigned into the collapsed Charlson score groups for use in the risk score calculation. Group 1 is a score of zero, Group 2 is a score of 1, Group 3 is a score of 2, and Group 4 is a score of 3 or higher.

Comorbidity

Points

AIDS

Cerebrovascular Disease

Chronic Pulmonary Disease

Congestive Heart Failure

Connective Tissue/Rheumatic Disease

Dementia

Diabetes Without End Organ Damage

Diabetes With End Organ Damage

Hemiplegia

Liver Disease Mild to Moderate

Liver Disease Severe

Myocardial Infarction

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Renal Disease

Ulcer Disease

Charlson Group Score

Step 2. Calculate the risk score, including the Charlson group. Patient age, Charlson score group, planned procedure type, gender, the teaching status of the hospital, and the neoplasm type (primary or metastatic tumor) are indicated. The point values are assigned accordingly to yield an additive score. By clicking on the "Calculate Estimated Mortality" button, this score is then assigned to the appropriate risk score group, and the mortality for that group is displayed.